# How do I plan a road trip with my autistic child?

> A visual trip map, planned stops, a car kit, and keeping routines going away from home.

URL: https://theautismkit.com/guides/road-trip-autism
By The Autism Kit team · Updated 2026-09-28

**Short answer:** Show the trip as a picture map: home, drive, stop, drive, arrive, with a token or picture to move along as you go. Plan stops every 1 to 2 hours, pack a car kit with snacks, headphones and favourite activities, and keep routines like meals and bedtime as close to normal as you can. Show photos of where you're going before you leave.

**Key takeaways**
- Show the trip as a **picture map**.
- Plan **stops every 1 to 2 hours**.
- Pack a **car kit**.
- Bring **familiar things** for the new place.

## How do I show the journey?

Make a simple strip: home, car, stop, car, arrive. Move a clip or token along at each stage. It turns a long, abstract drive into steps your child can see.[1]

## What goes in a car kit?

**Try:**
- Familiar snacks and drinks
- Headphones and downloaded shows or music
- Fidgets and small toys
- Sunshade for bright windows

**Skip:**
- Surprise detours
- Driving through naptime with no plan
- New toys only at the end

## How do I keep routines going?

1. **Keep meal and bed times** close to normal.
2. **Bring familiar bedding**, night light and bedtime books.[2]
3. **Show photos** of where you'll stay.
4. **Plan a quiet first evening.**

**Stops with space.** Parks and rest areas with grass let your child run and reset before the next leg.

Free printable: [Free printable: waiting card](https://theautismkit.com/printables/waiting-card.pdf)

## What can I do before the trip?

- [ ] Make a picture map of the drive
- [ ] Pack a car kit
- [ ] Show photos of where you'll stay

## Common questions

### How often should we stop?

Every 1 to 2 hours works for many families. Plan stops with space to move.

### My child keeps asking 'are we there yet'. What helps?

A visual countdown, like tokens for each stop, shows exactly how much is left.

### How do I help with the new place?

Show photos of the house or hotel, and bring familiar bedding and night-time items.

## Sources

1. AFIRM (UNC Frank Porter Graham): Visual supports evidence-based practice brief. https://afirm.fpg.unc.edu/wp-content/uploads/Visual-Supports-Brief-Packet.pdf
2. NHS: Supporting an autistic child. https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/autism/supporting-a-child/

General guidance, not a diagnosis or treatment plan. Talk with your pediatrician or a developmental specialist about your child's care.